The most beautiful and unexpected things are always hidden.💝

Sitio Camalca is one of the barangays in the eastern part of Zambales that is located in the isolated part of the mountain. It was surrounded by huge trees, and a rocky and steep road.

Not everyone is allowed to enter the place. There are appointed personnel who is licensed to route and check the safety of the people. They strictly monitored and report the count of the tourist that came in and out of the place.

The Tourism of the Municipality of San Marcelino was responsible for the appointment of respective personnel who will ensure maintaining cleanliness, peace, and safety travel of the tourist.

They have the listing of the names of the tourist who entered their town specifically the time, date, the place you came from, and your Identification Card.

We met three Aeta children playing and singing behind a big stone. We spend thirty mins of the time gossiping with each one of them.

Almost sixty percent of the population of Sitio Camalca were Aetas. They protect this place like their own home. Looking back in the past years, Aetas were known as the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines.

They are also known for being monotheistic and animist, they believe in environmental spirits. They are also considered hunters and food gatherers and depend on the natural resources of the mountain.

LOST VILLAGE of BUHAWEN

Up close to the sunken church of Mapanuepe Lake

Trivia: After the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991, a part of the church naves under the deep green water, but the other feature of the village seems to have been permanently erased when it was entombed in lahar after Mt Pinatubo erupted. All that remains is the spire of the “St Barbara Church. Only the steeple of the church protruding out of the water remained from one of the villages

Located along the side of the lake is a building where you can take some rest and have a closer look at the lake. It was built to serve as a mini canteen where tourists can buy refreshing foods. It’s the initiative of the barangay council of the place to strengthen the rich history of the village.

On the left side, you will be amazed at the cattle roaming around the lake.

A boat nearby can be rented to get an up-close look at the 423ft surface elevation.

RIVER BEHIND THE TWO BIG ROCKS

This shot reminds me that time is like the flow of the river, let's enjoy every passing moment of life.

This small village in the town has a treasure hidden, who would have thought that behind those rocky and steep roads there’s a river running from the top to the down to lower part of the mountain, It’s living proof that beautiful things are always hidden.

The team decided to start a fire and cook food, they use bamboo and create sticks for the hotdogs. We bring rice so we don't worry about the time. Cause we have scheduled visit to some other part of the village

After an hour we placed the banana leaf on top of the stone and we are ready to eat the fish and hotdogs😋 It's the best time of our life! The rain began to fall while we enjoyed eating our food!

THE FRUIT BEARING TREES

We decided to visit Mang Ajo’s place. 35 mins travel from the river. He lived in this scattered and isolated part of the mountains for almost 45 years of existence his family. He has 3 sons but they have their place beside his house.

They have a lot of fruit-bearing trees like coconut trees, rambutans, pomelo, mangos, bananas, grapes, and avocados.

A different species of plants were planted and arranged accordingly by his wife.

YINYE BRIDGE

This Bridge was made up of pure steel. A 45-minute ride from Mapanuepe lake to the yinye bridge.

It was built to help the villager in the isolated part to have an easier way to the lower part of the mountain and to have easy access to the market for them to buy their basic needs for the family. It is the fastest route when someone in the family needs immediate medical care.

This amazing trip makes me realize the joy of discovering all the wonderful things this place has to offer.
Let us keep and make life more enjoyable by having a time discovering places you’ve not been to before.

A place, where life has to start.
A place, where you can feel glimpses of sudden relief, and

A place, where you can call your "HOME".💞